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World Briefing | Asia: India: Risk Rising From Rain And Floods

The frequency and intensity of rainstorms during India's monsoon season has risen significantly since 1950, in concert with global warming, scientists report. An Indian climate research team describes the trend in the journal Science and predicts that further warming is likely to raise the risk of floods. The pattern was found by analyzing rain-gauge measurements. Over all, the total rainfall in June-to-September monsoons across central India had not appreciably changed, but more rain came in sudden bursts and less in light showers, the scientists said. "A substantial increase in hazards related to heavy rain is expected over central India in the future," they added. ANDREW C. REVKIN